Boiler Room Affirms Pro-Palestine Stance Amid Ownership Concerns

Boiler Room addresses concerns following its acquisition, affirming their dedication to pro-Palestine values.

Introduction to Ownership Changes

Boiler Room, the globally recognized music platform, recently made headlines with its statement regarding its new ownership. The platform was acquired by Superstruct Entertainment, which is known for managing over 80 electronic-focused festivals throughout Europe and Australia, such as Mighty Hoopla, Lost Village, Field Day, Sónar, and Cross The Tracks. This transition comes after its previous ownership by ticketing site DICE.

However, this new ownership by Superstruct has raised eyebrows due to its affiliation with KKR, a private equity firm that has attracted criticism for purported ties to weapons manufacturers and companies involved in Israeli settlements on the West Bank. This information has been reported by various sources.

Artist Response to Ownership Concerns

In light of these developments, numerous artists—including Ikonika, Beatrice M., Mia Koden, BasicDisarm, jtamul, 8ULENTINA, and Daytimers—have chosen to cancel their scheduled Boiler Room performances. The group Daytimers explicitly stated that they would not engage in any commitments related to Superstruct-owned events, voicing that they couldn’t be “complicit in genocide,” while also expressing empathy for the workers affected by these ownership changes.

“Boiler Room has been through various changes in control, investors, boards, and ownership, and through this our commitment to editorial independence and Palestine has never wavered.”

Boiler Room's Proclamation of Values

In response to the backlash, Boiler Room has taken to their social media channels to clarify that the new owners' investments "categorically don’t align with our values." They reiterated their commitment to pro-Palestine organizations, stating:

“Boiler Room has been through various changes in control, investors, boards, and ownership, and through this our commitment to editorial independence and Palestine has never wavered. No investor, past or present, has ever influenced our output, this will never change.⁠

“We will always remain unapologetically pro-Palestine. We continue to adhere to BDS and PACBI guidelines regarding artist programming and brand partnerships and engage with Palestinian artists and organizers in order to formalize our internal policies in line with this commitment. We uphold international law and human rights for all, regardless of identity.”

Related Industry Boycotts and Concerns

Interestingly, Boiler Room is not alone in facing backlash over ownership issues. The Great Escape Festival encountered similar dilemmas in 2024 after partnering with Barclays, sparking a boycott from over 125 artists due to accusations against the bank for its investments in companies that supply arms to Israel. In response to the uproar, Barclays stated it is “trading in shares of listed companies in response to client instruction or demand.” Following the protests, it was revealed that Barclays would no longer continue its partnership with the Brighton event.

Conclusion

The ongoing discussions around Boiler Room's ownership and its implications have ignited a broader conversation within the music industry. It’s clear that many artists and organizations are prioritizing values over profit, carving out a new path for artistic integrity and social responsibility.

• What did Boiler Room say about their new ownership? Boiler Room emphasized that the new owners' investments do not align with their values and reiterated their pro-Palestine stance.
• Which artists canceled their Boiler Room performances? Artists like Ikonika, Beatrice M., Mia Koden, and Daytimers canceled their performances in protest against the new ownership.
• What is the BDS movement? The BDS movement stands for Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions and advocates for Palestinian rights and opposition to Israeli occupation.
• How did Superstruct respond to these concerns? Boiler Room has reached out to Superstruct for a comment on the situation but has not received a response as of yet.
• What other festivals have faced similar backlash? The Great Escape Festival faced similar issues with its partnership with Barclays, resulting in a significant artist boycott.

If you're passionate about music and art that supports social causes, consider shopping for your favorite album cover poster at our store here.